Susan Jaye-Kaplan has an incredible story. Although she was orphaned and homeless at an early age, key mentors encouraged her to make use of her natural talents.

Early on, she built a successful career in the insurance industry. At age 54, she made another leap. She trained herself to be a successful long distance runner, gradually expanding from running a block to running marathons. At the same time, she changed livelihoods and began a pattern of founding non-profits, most recently Go Fit and Link to Libraries.

Her message? You’re never too young to make a difference. What you have to give is never too small. It’s never too late. It’s always the right time and place to help others.

“I’m almost 64,” she said, “and that seems very old to you, but I still believe I can be anything and do anything.” She feels that kind of energy is crucial in the non-profit world. “That’s why I have a rule that I start something new every three to five years. I like to have new energy, new ideas, new leadership.”

So what’s next for Jaye-Kaplan? Another project making books available throughout the community, a consultancy to non-profits with the help of the University of Massachusetts, and more running. The students and teachers were so impressed by Jaye-Kaplan that they are organizing a way to help with her projects on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a school holiday.